Means for aseptic transfer of sterile articles



April MEANS FOR ASEPTIC TRANSFER OF Filed Feb. l2, 1941 C. W. WALTERY STERILE ARTIGLES 2 sheets-sheet 1 I 24 ven in? Cav/WZ WWZZ/er, M/MA/w/m April 13, 1943; c. w. WALTER MEANS FOR ASEPTIC TRANSFER OF STERILE ARTICLES Filed Feb. l2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 13, 1943 MEANS FOR ASEPTIC TRANSFER OF STERILE ARTICLES Carl Walter, Newton, Mass.

Application February 12, 1941, Serial No. 378,607

12 Claims. (Cl. 21-90) In hospital practice, especially in the surgical operative field, it is essential to grasp and transfer numerous different sterile articles such -as instruments, Sponges, supplies and the like. These vary widely in shape, weight and bulk as from a milliners needle to a heavy retractor or a sizable package of dryg-oods. The sponge stick and the utility forceps commonlyfused for such transfer are recognized as potential sources of danger to the sterile condition of the articles and supplies transferred.

As a lprecaution the transferring implement usually is placed in a germicide during idle periods, but so far as I am aware no satisfactory technique has been developed to insure that its article-engaging Parts retain their sterile state until wholly clear of the germicide container. Most hospitals continue thev use of relatively awkward and make-shift devices for the purpose. Yet it has been demonstrated that exposed por'- tions of the germicide containers, particularly the 1160K, mouth and lip of the vessel, carry various pathogenic microorganisms, whether the containers are in actual use in the operating room or merely exposed in the hospital'wards. This is in part due to the fact that, excepting certain formaldehyde-alcohol solutions and a few of the borax-formalin type, many of the chemical solutions widely used in the supposed sterilization of such vessels, instruments and other surgical supplies, while reasonably effective in destroyingA vegetative forms of bacteria of the non-sporulating variety, are relatively ineffective against the extremely resistant bacterial spores. i

My present invention is concerned with the'article-transfer problem as above indicated. vIt has as an important object the safeguarding of the article-engaging portions of the particular transfer instrumentality not only during idle periodsv but lalso throughout the course of their complete withdrawal and clearance from the germicide container, without reducing the ease and rapidity of such action or of the subsequent return of the transfer device to the germicidal supply.

In the drawings, illustrating by way of example one embodiment of means in accordance with the invention: Y y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a sterile forceps unit showing the instrument in protected waiting position, a lower portion of the germicide vessel being broken away; l

Fig. 2 is a generally similar view as Fig. 1 but with the instrument elevatedA as during Vremoval or replacement;

Fig. 3 is a 'vertical section of the cooperating container and shield elements, on a larger scale, a portion of the instrument jaws being shown as during their final emergence or initial reentry;

Fig. 4 is a, partial vertical section as on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, on a similar scale as in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side elevation and a bottom plan of a floating shield element of the invention, also on the larger scale;

Figs. 7 and 8 are a plan and a cross section on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7, showing one of the forceps jaws separately on an enlarged scale; and

Figs. 9, 10 and l1 are further detail views of the forceps jaws, being respectively a side elevation, a longitudinal section and front end view.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the instrument and container assembly comprises a vessel or jar I0, here of general cylindrical form, having a 'height to contain the desired lower portion of the instrument to be kept in sterile condition. This container ID may be molded or otherwise formed of a material adapted for use with germicidal chemical solutions, including various of the plastics and synthetic compounds, preferably of the transparent or semi-transparent variety. A fairly heavy glass of the usual laboratory type is Well suited to the purpose.

The jar I0 is formed with a base II ample for the purposes of stability and desirably of the saucer-like form substantially as shown, to serve as a drip catcher and receiver for spilled germicide. Desirably the side wall of the jar is graduated to indicate the proper level for the germicidal liquid, as indicated for example at L, Figs. 1 to v3.

The jar proper I0 is open at the top, where it terminates in an outturned rim I2. is enclosed in and provides a firm seat for a plate-like reducing ring I3 of rubber or other somewhat resilient and desirably solution-resistant material or composition. This ring element or annular rim-enclosure I3 has a central aperture I4 somewhat smaller in diameter than that of the jar proper, and in normal use is fixed on the jar rim, ythe ring having for the purpose a downturned and reentrant skirt I5 engageable beneath the jar rim I2. When desired this ring or rim case I3 may readily be removed by springing its skirt out from below the jar rim.

.As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4 the underface of the ring I3 has a formation as indicated at I6 conforming it to the mouth and rim of the jar and giving it a firm seaton the-latter. The adjoining under-portion of said ring, about the periphery of its central opening I 4 presents an annular shoulder I'I extending inwardly beyond The latter the inner surface of the jar wall and adapted to serve as a stop in a manner to be described. At its tcp face the ring I3 has an upright ange or lip i8 surrounding the aperture I4 in the ring and having a beveled or inclined outer lateral portion I9 on which the cover member 223, to be described, has a snug sealing fit.

The cover element 2li above mentioned is constituted as a combined closure for the jar I and a hand guard and barrier for the handle portion of the transfer instrument to which it is xed. Such instrument is herein illustrated as a pick-up and general utility forceps, indicated as a whole by the numeral 30 and itself embodying novel structural features for this type of device, tov be described.

Said combined cover and guard element 23 comprises a molded or other plate or disc of a material which may be similar to that of the jar ring I3, such as a rubber or like resilient composition. This disc member 25 is centrally aper-v tured to receive the lock portion 3l of the forceps 3G, with the forceps legs or Shanks 32, 33u31 to the lock protruding below it and` the handle members 34, 35 extending above. At opposite sides of the central aperture of this cover-guard disc 2li are sockets 2i, 22 adapted to snap rmly into position over opposed lateral extensions of the pivot element 35 of the forceps lock.

Thus the cover-guard element 2!) normally is securely positioned on the forceps, with its aperture closed by the lock portion of the latter and by the resilient opening-defining wall means of said cover 23, affording in eifect a variable aperture conforming to the inserted portion of the forceps and laterally yieldable further to openl plug portion, and is spaced from the latter toy provide an annular channel 2-5 for snug sealing reception of the previously mentioned upright flange I8 on the jar ring I3. As seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the inner wall 26 of said cover flange 24 is beveled or outwardly inclined to conform to the bevel I9 of the ring flange I8. Accordingly, the cover element has an easy and assuredl firm seating action on the ring, requiring no special attention in placing it in jar-closing position, in which it effectively prevents the evaporation of the germicidal content.

The grasping and transfer instrumentality proper, as above noted, is of the forceps type. But instead of the usual straight handle end with terminal finger rings, I have provided it with a pistol-grip handle element, comprising the previously mentioned handle members 34, 35. These are disposed at an angle of preferably at least 45 to the forceps legs 32, 33, so affording a stronger and more natural grip see particularly Figs. land 2. This angular relation of grip and legs has the further advantage of naturally projecting the forceps jaws in they axis of the users forearm, in which positionthelaad iS eai1han dled, with minimum chance of contaminating contact by misdirection of the forceps.

Desirably lateral projections 34a, 35a are formed near the angle of each handle member. These give additional purchase for the thumb and forenger respectively, to overcome any tendency of the loaded instrument to twist in the hand and also make it substantially impossible for the handle to slip back into the palm of a large hand. The handle members 34, 35 and hence also the Shanks or legs 32, 33 normally stand somewhat open, as represented for example in Fig. l, being yieldably urged toward such position by spring means. Such means is here illustrated as a unitaryleaf spring 3'I anchored at one end near the angle of one handle member, herein handle 35, and having a rounded portion 31a at its other end adapted to abut and have easy sliding contact on the inner face of the opposite handle member 34. The attached end of the spring may seat in a guide formation or rece-ss at the inner face of the handle 35, holding it against turning relative to the latter. It is demountably or otherwise held in place, as by a. screw. The spring desirably is constructed and proportioned to present the handle members substantially in the Fig. 1 position, when free of a users hand, in which position the two handle members readily conform themselves to and are encloseable by the palm and ngers o -f the hand, similarly as in engaging the grip of a pistol, the thumb and foreflnger coming naturally against the prominences 34a and 35a respectively. The forceps 30 in the entirety, including said spring 31, preferably is formed of a chemicaland rust-resistant material such as one of the stainless steels.

The outer terminal portions or jaws'38, 39 of the forcepsv legs 32, 33 are specially constructed and arranged for maximum utility of the instrument, adapting it for picking up and grasping firmly any of the Widely variant articles and materials asv referred to in the introductory portion hereof.

Contributory to that end, the jaws are disposed at somewhat of an angle, inwardly toward each other, rather than as mere, straight extensions in the longitudinal axis of their respective shank portionsl32, 33. Thisallows the jaws to lie substantially parallel to each other in a slightly open position, say approximately one-half inch apart, and alsoV enables them to remain more nearly in mutual parallelism throughout their openingV and closing movements.

The jaws, each of which may be similar but oppositely disposed, are relatively narrow and have somewhat of a longitudinal taper, ending in a rather small externally rounded tip with a fairly sharp and almost blade-.like inner edge, easily thrust beneath flat articles. In. Figs. 7 and 8 one of the jaws is. shown separately, in this case-the jaw 38,4 at the end of the leg 32 integral with the handlel member 34., this being the under jaw when the forceps. is held with the users thumb on top, on said handle 34, and the forceps legs extended horizontally. It willbe understood however that the jaw portions proper may be substantially similar, although inverted relative to each other in the assembledV instrument, sov that what is said as to the jaw 38` of Figs. 7 and 8 is for the most part also pertinent to jaw 39, corresponding part-s being indicated by'similar reference characters; in -this connection. see, also Figs. 9, 10 and 11. For purposes of. description the portion of the forceps which is important` to. keep sterile, belovv the pivot; or lock. location, including at least the lower parts of the shanks or legsl 32,`

33 and their jaws, may be termed the infra-lock portion.

Referring now particularly to said Figs. 7 to 11, the jaws 38, 39 are concave at their inner faces, giving them an arcuate or crescentic form in cross section; Figs. 8 and 11. Their side edges taper toward the opposite jaw to relatively thin, sharp longitudinal crests. The two side-edge crests of each jaw are irregularly serrated, as at 38a, 38h, and are differently and non-oppositely recessed, upon arcs of different curvatures, as represented at 33e, 38d and 38e. In this instance one ofthe jaw side edges has two such recesses, 38e and 38d, the inner one 38d standing laterally opposite nonrecessed serrated edge portions 38a, both ofthe same jawand of the other jaw. The outer recess 38o is adjacent but spaced suciently from the tipv of the jaw to provide for one or more serrations 38h between it and the terminal extremity of the jaw. Opposite this outer recess 38o of the plurality recessed jaw edge the other edge has the somewhat longer recess 38e extending substantially fully to the very terminal tip of the jaw, there forming a sharpi terminal corner or single tooth 381. The latter, in cooperation with the plural-toothed terminus of the Oppositely arranged jaw, see Figs. 9 to 1l, is adapted to pick up and hold firmly relatively minute articles and objects such as the smaller surgical needles, sutures, etc. In picking up such small articles the non-opposite single points or teeth 38f of the respective jaws serve in effect to lift and feed them into a position where they are grasped or clamped by the other teeth 3819; in this connection see particularly Figs. 9 to 11. The irregular and non-,matching structure for the opposed yjaws such as here illustrated and described by way of example, together with their length, special tip formation, and ability toopen from a tip-contacting position at an inclination toward each other, through a position of parallelism, to open positions up to angles of 90 and more (the spring 31 being able to move away from handle 34 in the. Wider open conditions) affords for the forceps an extremely wide range of usefulness, importantly extending its capacity for general utility pickup and transfer purposes. y

As seen in Figs. 7, 8 and 1l, the jaw 38, the one in the lower position when the forceps is held extended, may be formed with a drainage aperture 38g, through Which the germicide which might otherwise be held in the concavity of the jaws may readily escape.

Claims directed to the forceps, whether with or without the lock-associated guard or supporting element, and apart from other features of the assembly unit, are contained in my copending divisional application Serial No. 475,135, filed February 8,1943.

Returning now to the further consideration of the sterile conditioning assembly as a Whole, there is further provided in cooperative relation both to the forceps and to the germicide jar I and its ring I3 a vertically movable or floating forceps escort element 40, seen in elevation in Figs. l and 2, in vertical section in Fig. 3, and separately in Figs. and 6.

' This floating escort lor shield element 40 as illustrated is a tubular, and herein substantially cylindrical, cup or bucket, open at the top, and of a diameter sufficiently less than that of the jar to allow it to move freely up and down in the latter. It may be variously constructed,

either of metallic or non-metallic material, de-

sirably rather light in'weight and non-'corrosive or resistant to germicidal and other liquids and able to stand steam or other heat sterilization. In the Vexample of the drawings it is molded or otherwise formedl of a chemical-resistant material such as Bakelite or rothers of the plastics, transparent or otherwise. In another form which in some respects I have found preferable this floating guard 40 is integrally or otherwise fashioned of a resistant metal such as stainless steel.

To allow for rapid inflow and discharge of the germicidal solution from the floating shield as it rises and falls, openings are provided in its walls, having a relatively large total area. As here shown by way of exampleand noting particularly Figs. 3, 5 and 6, the bottom of said bucket or cup 40 is perforated by a multiplicity of apertures 4I. In addition its side walls are fenestrated, herein to different vertical extents, as by the alternating short and long slots o1' windows 42, 43, providing a large open area while maintaining adequate wall strength. The lower ends of these fenestrations extend into the bottom wall as evident in Fig. 5 and particularly in the bottom plan view, Fig. 6, thus increasing4 the apertured bottom area. At its upper portion this floating bucket or cup-like shield 40 is formed externally with a lateral projection, interrupted or otherwise, such as the annular flange 44, the under wall of which provides a shoulder or abutment for receiving and seating upon the upper end -of an upright spiral spring 45 formed preferably of stainless steel. The top wall of said flange 44 is adapted to engage the shoulder I1 of the jar ring I3 as a limiting stop for the upward movement of the bucket 4I), as in the position shown in Fig; 3. 'l

The lower end of the spring 45 seats with a natural centering action on the bottom wall ofV the jar I0, which wall may be slightly convex or otherwise formed to aid in positioning the lower end of the spring. Said spring has an overall length, weight, size and tensile strength readily to lift and yieldably support the bucket in its uppermost position, near or above the full liquid level, indicated by the graduation-L, the bucket accordingly being then emptied or mainly so. The weight of the bucket 4I) and the strength of the spring also are so calculated with respect to the weight of the forceps that the latter when inserted and dropped into the jar easily compresses the spring, the forceps jaws necessarily entering the bucket, andthe bucket and the received infra-lock portion of the-forceps distalto the handle being quickly submerged in the germicide. The quantity of germicidal solution displaced by the bucket as it sinks ows into the latter through the apertures or fenestrations 4|, 42, 43, raising the fluid level: in the jar, to somewhat above the full level L, assuming that the fluid content initially is sufficient to stand at said level L in the raised position of the bucket as in Figs. 2 and 3. y

Referring now particularly to Fig. 3, also Figs.

2 and 5, it is especially to be observed that the cylindrical or other side wall of the bucket is extended upwardly well beyond its stop member or external flange 44. In the elevated position of the bucket, Figs. 2 and 3, its upper side wall accordingly extends through the adjacentperipheral portion of the jar ring I3 and projects well above the top of the latter, desirably for at least 1A; to 3/3 of an inch. The outer wal1 of this top edge portion or rim of the bucket is inwardly beveled substantially as indicated at' 46, facilitating the upward movement of the bucket and guiding it upwardly through the jar ring I3, should it happen to be oif center. The aperture. I4 of said ring preferably is somewhat larger than the adjacent portion of the bucket, as a further aid to the unobstructed upward forcepsescorting movement of the latter.

From the foregoing it will be understood, particularly with reference to Fig. 3, that when the forceps, being in their rest position as in Fig. l, are grasped and lifted for use, the sterile bucket 40 travels upwardly with the forceps and guards the jaws against contamination from contact with any non-sterile portion of the jar. theV sterile jaws are escorted to a level substantially above and beyond any exposed part of the jar, including the stationary rim cover or ring i3. Thus the greatest source of danger to the forceps, that of contact of its jaws with the jar rim during their withdrawal, is positively eliminated. It is made substantially impossible for the sterile jaws of the forceps to contact any exposed non-sterile portion of the jar unless by deliberate effort. Accordingly the sterile assembly unit as herein illustrated and described by way of example affords a safe and efficient means for the ready conditioning of the transfer instrumentality andr for the aseptic transportation of sterile articles to the operative eld.

By the invention the instrument to be kept sterile is presented for use in upright position, with its importantly sterile portion immersed in germicide, the vessel being automatically covered in so positioning the instrument, and uncovered again automatically by its withdrawal. Further, the extremity of the instrument, where sterility is especially important, is safely escorted fully to and substantially beyond all exposed and likely septic upper wall, mouth and rim portions of the germicide vessel. And in returning the instrument after use the escorting means is itself automatically sterilized by subjection to the germicide.

It will be understood that my invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment herein illustrated or described, and I set forth its scope in myV following claims.

I claim:

l. A combined sterile transfer forcepsA and holder therefor comprising a germicide container having an open top, a forceps having jaw and handle portions, a removable cover for the container, means to suspend the forceps on the cover with its jaw portion at the inner side and at least its outer handle portion at the outer side, and a cup-like apertured shielding member in the container adapted to receive the lower jaw portion of the forceps, said members yieldably supported for vertical movement with the forcep on insertion and removal of the latter. n

2. A combined sterile transfer forceps and holder therefor comprising a germicide container having an open top, a forceps having jaw and handle portions, a removable cap-like cover for the container, a variable aperture in said cover for the downward projection of at least the forceps jaw portion through it, movable wall means associated with said aperture to vary the opening thereof while permitting operative movement of the forceps` jaw and handle portions, and attaching connections for the forceps and cover.

3. In a sterile transfer instrument and container unit,- in combination, a tubular open-top Hence' container for germicide, a forceps comprising handle and lock portions with associated shanks and jaws, the container adapted for reception of at least the major infra-lock portion of the forceps, and a laterally projecting cover plate element mounted on the forceps not lower than its lock, and seating means for said element at the top of the container and cooperable with said element to seat it on and to cover the open top of the container and to suspend the forceps with said infra-lock portion in the container and its handle portion projecting above the latter conveniently to a users hand.

4. A sterile transfer instrument and container assembly comprising, in combination, an upright container having an open mouth at its top, a transfer instrument of the forceps type including jaw and handle portions and a pivotal lock, said container and instrument being mutually adapted for reception at least of the instrument jaw portion within the container, and a fenestrated bucket in the container and adapted to receive the instrument jaw portion, said bucket being vertically movable between an upper position wherein its rim projects above the container mouth and aA downward position of submergence in the fluid content ofthe container, stop means limiting said upward movement, and resilient means urging the bucket upwardly.

5. A sterile transfer instrument and container assembly comprising, in combination, an upright container having a projecting base and an open top, a transfer instrument comprising pivoted main elements eachr having a handle portion at one end and a jaw at the other, said container and instrument being mutually adapted for the insertion at least of the instrument jaws well down into the interior of the container, a removable cover for the top of the container, said cover being apertured for laterally extensive positioning on and attachment to an intermediate portion of the instrument, and said handle portions of the instrument being disposed at an angle to their corresponding jaws so as together to provide a pistol grip, said grip, in the seated position of said cover, being angularly extended above the container with its axis substantially paralleling the transverse axis of a naturally approaching palm of a users hand.

6. A sterile transfer instrument and container assembly comprising, in combination, an upright container having a projecting supporting base and an open mouth at its top, ay transfer instrument comprising pivotally associated elongated main elements each having a handle portion at one end and a jaw at the other, said container and instrument being mutually adapted for the insertion at least of the instrument jaws through the mouth of andwell down into the interior of the container, a bodily displaceable cover adapted to seat on and' in` closing relationk to the mouth of the container, said cover being apertured to receive and support the instrument at a longitudinally intermediate portion thereof, interconnections for the instrument and cover adjacent said aperture, the cover including means at said aperturey movable in theally related jaws receivablein the`- container and-` having a hand grip at its other end, a closure for the container top opening, said closure constructed to support the instrument on the container in freely available upright position with the hand grip projecting from and wholly outside the container in constant readiness for instant removal and operative manipulation of the instrument thereby, interconnecting formations between the closure and the instrument adjacent its jaw pivot, and yieldably supported jawguarding means vertically movable between projecting and housed positions in and relative to the container attendant on insertion and withdrawal of the instrument and whereby the instrument jaws can engage only said jaw-guarding means during such withdrawal.

8. A sterile instrument and container assembly comprising, in combination, a liquid container having a top opening, an instrument having at one end pivoted jaws receivable in the container and having a hand grip at its other end, means for supporting the instrument with its jaws depending inside and its hand grip projecting outside the container, an open-top bucket havingr bottom and side walls including a top rim, the bucket adapted to receive the instrument jaws' and being disposed for vertical movement in the container between an upper position in which the bucket top rim is projected up through and beyond the top opening of the container and a lower position in which the bucket is immersed in the liquid of the container, spring means for lifting the bucket to and holding it in its upper position, coactive positioning means on the container and bucket to determine said upper position of the bucket, and liquid inlet and outlet means on the bucket below its rim, the bucket and its spring means being constructed and arranged for depression of the bucket to immersed position automatically by the weight of the inserted instrument and for upward escorting movement of the bucket with the instrument during its withdrawal.

9. A combined transfer instrument and sterilizing receiver, comprising, in combination, an open-top jar adapted toreceive liquid and the lower part of an instrument to be sterily conditioned, an instrument of the pivoted jaw type, a removable plate having a peripheral flange for positioning it on and in top-closing relation to the jar, said plate having at a central portion an aperture for insertion of the instrument and installation of the plate thereon intermediate its ends, means for securing the plate and instrument to each other in said installed position, and movable means at the aperture of thev plate for varying the opening thereof attendant on relative movement of the instrument jaws.

l0. A sterile transfer forceps and container assembly comprising, in combination, a tubular container having a supporting base and an open top including a circumferential rim, a coverseating annulus fitted on the rim and having a large central opening, a forceps having at least its jaw lower shank portion insertable through said opening, a cover plate adapted to seat freely on said annulus to close its opening, an aperture in the cover plate for installing it on the forceps between the extremities of the later, and means securing the forceps and cover plate together in said installed position, the cover plate having movable means at its aperture closing it against the adjacent portion of the forceps and movable to accommodate closing and opening motion of the forceps.

ll. A sterile transfer forceps and container assembly comprising, in combination, a tubular container having a supporting base and an open top, a forceps having jaw and shank portions receivable in the container, a plate element mounted in transversely projecting position on an intermediate portion of the forceps and adapted to cover the container top and to suspend the forceps with its portion below said element received in the container, a tubular guard vertically movable in the container, said guard having an open upper end adapted to be projected through the open top of the container and being otherwise openly formed for free vertical movement in and relative to a liquid in the container, said guard adapted to receive the jaw portion of the forceps and automatically to be depressed by the weight of the forceps on insertion of the latter into the container, and means urging the guard upwardly so as to escort the forceps jaw portion to and beyond the top of the container on withdrawal of the forceps.

12. A sterile instrument and container assembly comprising, in combination, a liquid container having a top opening, an instrument having at one end pivoted jaws receivable in the container and having a hand grip at its other end, a closure for the top opening of the container, said closure having an aperture for mounting it on the instrument so as to support the latter upon the container with its hand grip external thereof, attaching formations intermediate the closure and the instrument adjacent its jaw pivot, and movable means at the closure aperture for varying the latter with the relative movement of the instrument jaws.

CARL W. WALTER. Y 

